MASAKA, Uganda — Police in Greater Masaka have rescued a 7-year-old pupil who was kidnapped from Dimo landing site in Masaka District, and arrested 12 suspects in connection with the abduction.
The boy was abducted on March 21, 2025, at around 7:00 a.m. while on his way to school, police said. Two men riding a red Bajaja Boxer motorcycle allegedly took the child.
The kidnappers later contacted the victim’s family, demanding a ransom of 200,000 Ugandan shillings, which was paid. However, after the ransom was paid, there was no further communication from the abductors.
A rescue operation was launched by police at 5:00 p.m., leading to the safe recovery of the child, according to Twaha Kasirye, the Regional Police Spokesperson for Greater Masaka.
Kasirye said the child was dropped off at GAZ Petrol Station in Kalisizo District by the kidnappers, who had been tricked into doing so in exchange for a ransom of 5 million Ugandan shillings.
The 12 suspects arrested include Lutaya Nelson, Maria Gorrete Nambajjo, Namugamba Prossy, Namukwaya Rosemary, Serugo Matia, Kasumba Yuda, Sikyomu Tonny, Yawe Robert, Kiwendo Paul, Hussein Muhammad, Masereka Dennis and Wamala Emma.
However, police said the prime suspect, identified as Pius Tusibira, remains at large.
“The prime suspect, Tusibira Pius, remains at large, and we call upon anyone with information regarding his whereabouts to share it with police in confidence,” the police stated.
